After Strike Threat, Video Game Workers and Microsoft-Owned ZeniMax Media Reach Tentative Agreement

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Through negotiations, Microsoft’s subsidiary ZeniMax Media and the labor union representing numerous employees have come to a preliminary understanding regarding their initial collective bargaining agreement.

Reaching our destination involved a lengthy journey filled with unexpected events, as union members affiliated with the Communications Workers of America had just recently granted a strike mandate one month prior, aiming to secure additional benefits during a turbulent period in the video game industry.

Facing off against one of the biggest corporations globally is no easy task,” stated Page Branson, a union negotiator and quality assurance tester, in a released statement. Branson referred to the deal as a “tremendous triumph” for both present and upcoming video game employees.

A representative from Microsoft declared that this agreement symbolizes a significant progression and signifies a mutual dedication towards productive discussions and a joint aim to cultivate a congenial work environment.

Pending approval through a vote ending on June 20th, the preliminary agreement would cover over 300 quality assurance employees from three different CWA Locals. These employees are stationed at branches in Hunt Valley and Rockville, Maryland, as well as Austin and Dallas, Texas.

Alex Doblado, Vice President of Local 6215 within one of the CWA Locals, voiced that despite the fast-changing, volatile nature of the gaming industry and its associated job uncertainties, workers in this field have consistently kept their focus on the fair compensation they rightfully deserved.

Following two years of discussions, the agreement has been finalized, boosting minimum wages for employees and offering additional wage hikes, according to the union. They haven’t disclosed more information as of now. The deal introduces a novel credit policy that the union claims will recognize the significant roles of QA testers in game production. It also sets up complaint mechanisms and “incorporates measures against unjust termination.”

Or, in another way:

After two years of negotiations, the agreement has been reached, increasing minimum wages for workers and providing additional wage increases, as stated by the union. They haven’t provided further details yet. The deal introduces a new credit policy that the union says will acknowledge the importance of QA testers in the games they help create, establishes grievance procedures, and “ensures protection against unfair dismissal.

This arrangement, agreed upon in 2023 between the union and the studio, ensures that the employer must give prior notice about any AI applications that might influence union members. Furthermore, they are required to discuss and negotiate these impacts at the request of the labor group. Moreover, this agreement set forth specific “guidelines” for the application of AI within the workplace.

In 2022, ZeniMax employees were the pioneers aiming to establish a union within Microsoft, marking the first such attempt. This move came as a result of an agreement on labor neutrality that Microsoft had previously made with the CWA in the same year. According to this accord, Microsoft voluntarily agreed to acknowledge the union if enough employees expressed their intent to join.

In a statement, Mike Davis, Vice President of CWA District 2-13, expressed excitement about the prospect of negotiating contracts for more video game workers in the coming days. “This is only the start,” he added.

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2025-05-30 22:24